AIO Help!

[Th3Architect]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm new to Linus tech tips and absolutely love it here! the builds are great, however I am now in need of some expert advice...

 

My set up should be down below however the part I'm interested in replacing (if its worth it) is my Xigmatek Scorpion HDT-S1283 CPU cooler, I would like to swap it out for an AIO Water cooler i have seen all the corsair ones h80,h100 etc and also many custom made ones, to name one OCUK's Fathom all in one - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-020-TL&groupid=962&catid=1532 -

 

Is it better to

 

A - Keep my current CPU cooler, is it good enough to stay?

 

B - Go for a corsair/nzxt/all the other makes or a custom made one from Overclockers?

 

C - Go for it and get a full loop (or at least start with my own custom cpu cooling loop)?

 

I should mention the things I have in mind are - Low temps as I will be keeping my i5's 4.4Ghz overclock, possibly upping it. I would like quiet operation (although the Xigmatek doesn't seem that loud at the moment, at least until i stress the cpu), and as little maintenance as possible, as i know some custom full loops require a lot of maintenance.

 

I am a new enthusiast desperate to keep doing something with my PC but just not sure whether to spend the £££s and would like someone to point me in the right direction as to what I should do?

 

Will get some nice pics up in the correct thread of it if anyone is interested.

[TheEpicCanadian]

If you're willing to do some yearly maintenance for a custom loop then go for it but if you just want to install it and leave it then I'd go with an h100/110 or a some other make. 

[KamiKatze]

Your current Heatsink is okay for the overclock you have. However a bigger one would be good (bequiet Dark Rock Pro 2 or Noctua NH D14) However an AIO liquid cooler would be a better upgrade. 120mm ones aren't worth the money. Get at least 240mm, like the Corsair H100i. Swiftech H220 would be better.

 

Edit: the Swiftech has full fledged fittings and a good pump so you could go custom loop later if you wanted.

[simtransporter]

I believe the Swiftech H220 is one of the best AIO liquid cooler in terms of cooling performance, noise levels and expandability.

[Th3Architect]

Your current Heatsink is okay for the overclock you have. However a bigger one would be good (bequiet Dark Rock Pro 2 or Noctua NH D14) However an AIO liquid cooler would be a better upgrade. 120mm ones aren't worth the money. Get at least 240mm, like the Corsair H100i. Swiftech H220 would be better.

 

Edit: the Swiftech has full fledged fittings and a good pump so you could go custom loop later if you wanted.

Hey thanks guys, i would like to do a full loop although it's kinda scary spending so much for it to (potentially) all go wrong, you have pretty much answered my question though as i wasn't sure if the AIO water coolers would be enough to beat my current cooler.

 

So if i were to say go for the Swiftech H220 would you recommend any fans to pair with it?.

[KamiKatze]

Hey thanks guys, i would like to do a full loop although it's kinda scary spending so much for it to (potentially) all go wrong, you have pretty much answered my question though as i wasn't sure if the AIO water coolers would be enough to beat my current cooler.

 

So if i were to say go for the Swiftech H220 would you recommend any fans to pair with it?.

 

The fans that are on the H220 are good performing but a bit noisy (not as bad as the ones from the Corsair H100i, but still noisy). I'd recommend Corsair SP 120 PWM Quiet Edition. or Noctua NF F12 PWM. There are a couple more on the list. Basically just get some that are optimized for static pressure. (~ 1.5 mmH2O). You could aslo try undervolting the stock ones to see if they would be quiet enough and deliver a good enough performance.

[Th3Architect]

The fans that are on the H220 are good performing but a bit noisy (not as bad as the ones from the Corsair H100i, but still noisy). I'd recommend Corsair SP 120 PWM Quiet Edition. or Noctua NF F12 PWM. There are a couple more on the list. Basically just get some that are optimized for static pressure. (~ 1.5 mmH2O). You could aslo try undervolting the stock ones to see if they would be quiet enough and deliver a good enough performance.

Funnily enough i was going to buy a pair of SP 120s the other day as i really like the look of them, O15 what would be your preference fan wise, you seem pretty clued up.

[KamiKatze]

Funnily enough i was going to buy a pair of SP 120s the other day as i really like the look of them, O15 what would be your preference fan wise, you seem pretty clued up.

 

Nah, i just watch a lot of videos and read alot of tech stuff. that's all. The choice of fans is absolutley personal preference. The corsair fans are great performers but the build quality and the sound level are really just average. (I have an AF 140 'quiet Edition'). I personally would see if bequiet! Silent Wing 2 fans have high enough static pressure since bequiet can  live up top noctuas performance but doesn't look like shit. Then there are the quiet editions of the corsair sp 120 fans which come next one the list. I personally think that noise level goes over performance. The most important thing for cooling is surface area. As long as there's a little wind whistleing through the heatsink fins you're good (imo). I currently run my heatsink without any fans due to failure. no problem whatsoever.

 

Just make a list of a hand full of fans and get some. You should also see if the mounting holes for fans, radiator and your case are compatible. Ummmm... yeah NoiseBlocker also makes good fans, just to name another company.

[Goldilock]

Or maybe you could get Water Cooling kit (not AIO and make sure it has D5 pump as part of kit) fill with UV Coolant if you are not sure about doing all blown custom loop. Custom Loop for CPU only could go for ~$300 and another $100 for GPU block.

 

You could always the forum in another thread about planned custom loop setup.

[Th3Architect]

Nah, i just watch a lot of videos and read alot of tech stuff. that's all. The choice of fans is absolutley personal preference. The corsair fans are great performers but the build quality and the sound level are really just average. (I have an AF 140 'quiet Edition'). I personally would see if bequiet! Silent Wing 2 fans have high enough static pressure since bequiet can  live up top noctuas performance but doesn't look like shit. Then there are the quiet editions of the corsair sp 120 fans which come next one the list. I personally think that noise level goes over performance. The most important thing for cooling is surface area. As long as there's a little wind whistleing through the heatsink fins you're good (imo). I currently run my heatsink without any fans due to failure. no problem whatsoever.

 

Just make a list of a hand full of fans and get some. You should also see if the mounting holes for fans, radiator and your case are compatible. Ummmm... yeah NoiseBlocker also makes good fans, just to name another company.

 

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/nzxt-phantom-enthusiast-white-full-tower-performance-gaming-case-with-usb-30-w-o-psu

 

Thats my case I'm pretty sure the H220 will fit in there?

 

Now to pick some fans, i like the look of the performance on the noctuas but they dont look as good as the corsair, decisions, decisions.....

[KamiKatze]

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/nzxt-phantom-enthusiast-white-full-tower-performance-gaming-case-with-usb-30-w-o-psu

 

Thats my case I'm pretty sure the H220 will fit in there?

 

Now to pick some fans, i like the look of the performance on the noctuas but they dont look as good as the corsair, decisions, decisions.....

 

Yeah don't know if it wil fit. Pretty sure it will. Google it.

 

Your case doesn't have a window so why not noctuas? If you're picky like me you may wanna look out for something more eye candy. as you said, decisions... good luck

[Th3Architect]

Yh to be fair I don't mind the noctu's I checked on YouTube and it will fit a dual 120 rad in the top of the case think I'll go that route with the h220, thanks for the help!